Comb development

[Hargett]

Hello all,
I’m curious about comb development and how that differs from hen to hen. I bought by birds at a 4-h poultry auction, and they are 21 weeks old. My RIR were “red ribbon birds”, and have virtually no comb development compared to some of the other birds there. I know that comb development can be a sign of maturity and laying. At 21 weeks, are they anywhere close even without combs? I’m a little confused as to how some birds developed so much faster, I assume they were all on similar commercial feed. Is there anything I should be doing to help with development? I think one was squatting today.. is it possible that she starts laying with very little comb? Sorry for the bombardment of questions - new chicken owner here and still learning. I’ve included a picture of the RIR that I believe squatted (also pictured is “pecky” the EE). Thanks for responses!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Usually, it's a matter of the individual bird. I'll usually have one or two birds develop a comb two weeks ahead of her sibs, and then the rest'll catch up and it'll be like nothing was ever different.

Combs are a sign of maturity, but they're not the sign of maturity. Neither is squatting. And short of putting them on a high-protein feed and pushing them out to get more sunlight (which may or may not have an effect), there's not much you can do to speed their development up.

 

[Folly's place]

Pullets do come into lay at different times, and it's not possible to predict ahead of time, without knowing their breed and family line.
Patience!
Mary

 

[aart]

Different breeds have different shaped and sized combs.
They key to the comb 'development' near onset of lay is mostly color.
They will get much redder and plumper.
Pullets can drive ya nuts, getting 'redder' during times if exertion and then paler as they relax again.

Squatting can happen weeks before laying....and may just be submission.

Hers's some tips on how to tell......
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/